I live in Denver and have attended RMAF for the last 10 years. I'm inclined to give the organizers a pass for this year's difficulties since they were making a big transition to a different venue, but there is certainly room for a lot of improvement.
THE GOOD
All in all, I thought the room acoustics were a lot better on the whole than at the Marriott. That's a really important factor for an audio show. I'd be curious to know if some of the sound improvement across the board was due to a new, more robust electrical system compared to what the old Marriott had.
Wider hallways. The Marriott was claustrophobic. Yes, you'll have to spend more time walking and the layout was a little confusing at first but I liked the space.
Rooms were spaced out and staggered from one floor to the next so there was less bleed over from other rooms and a lot less noise from the hallways.
Very close to the airport for those flying in.
Exhibitors finally seem to be playing less of the same old same old and branching out into a larger variety of music. I tried to tell every exhibitor who did that how much I appreciated hearing something different.
THE BAD
Far fewer exhibitors than usual. My understanding is that the switch to September caused conflicts for several exhibitors. Hopefully, the move back to October next year will solve that problem. The other factor was the cost to exhibitors to show at the venue. I know of at least three manufacturers who didn't show up because of the cost. My fear is that the cost will drive away a lot of the smaller audio companies and sellers of lower priced gear who simply can't justify the cost.
The line on Friday. Ridiculous. I can't think of a good excuse for not having the name tags ready to go for people who pre-registered.
Paid parking. I got out of the lot for free on Friday. A lot of people didn't. The Gaylord is in the middle of a field. Paying $18.00 to park in that location is total BS. That's the same rate as downtown.
Captivity. I basically hate resort properties so I'm biased. Mediocre overpriced food with no walkable options for anything else. The food trucks at the Marriott were great.
UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR OUT OF TOWNERS
Stay in Denver. It's a great city with a lot to do and a killer restaurant scene. It's about a 30 minute drive from downtown to the Gaylord and from what I understand, the rooms at the Gaylord are expensive. The Gaylord is in the middle of a big flat field near a suburb that looks like every other suburb. Boring. I'd also recommend you make time for the mountains on at least one day. It is Colorado after all.
I'd give RMAF a shot next year regardless of some of the issues that occurred. I suspect they'll have things ironed out by then and if the exhibitor numbers go up it will be a good show.
THE GOOD
All in all, I thought the room acoustics were a lot better on the whole than at the Marriott. That's a really important factor for an audio show. I'd be curious to know if some of the sound improvement across the board was due to a new, more robust electrical system compared to what the old Marriott had.
Wider hallways. The Marriott was claustrophobic. Yes, you'll have to spend more time walking and the layout was a little confusing at first but I liked the space.
Rooms were spaced out and staggered from one floor to the next so there was less bleed over from other rooms and a lot less noise from the hallways.
Very close to the airport for those flying in.
Exhibitors finally seem to be playing less of the same old same old and branching out into a larger variety of music. I tried to tell every exhibitor who did that how much I appreciated hearing something different.
THE BAD
Far fewer exhibitors than usual. My understanding is that the switch to September caused conflicts for several exhibitors. Hopefully, the move back to October next year will solve that problem. The other factor was the cost to exhibitors to show at the venue. I know of at least three manufacturers who didn't show up because of the cost. My fear is that the cost will drive away a lot of the smaller audio companies and sellers of lower priced gear who simply can't justify the cost.
The line on Friday. Ridiculous. I can't think of a good excuse for not having the name tags ready to go for people who pre-registered.
Paid parking. I got out of the lot for free on Friday. A lot of people didn't. The Gaylord is in the middle of a field. Paying $18.00 to park in that location is total BS. That's the same rate as downtown.
Captivity. I basically hate resort properties so I'm biased. Mediocre overpriced food with no walkable options for anything else. The food trucks at the Marriott were great.
UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR OUT OF TOWNERS
Stay in Denver. It's a great city with a lot to do and a killer restaurant scene. It's about a 30 minute drive from downtown to the Gaylord and from what I understand, the rooms at the Gaylord are expensive. The Gaylord is in the middle of a big flat field near a suburb that looks like every other suburb. Boring. I'd also recommend you make time for the mountains on at least one day. It is Colorado after all.
I'd give RMAF a shot next year regardless of some of the issues that occurred. I suspect they'll have things ironed out by then and if the exhibitor numbers go up it will be a good show.